Abington beats William Tennent continues its run to top of SOL National

ABINGTON — The Abington boys soccer team entered Monday’s game against William Tennent trying to continue to prove it is among the top of the class in the Suburban One National Conference.

The Ghosts didn’t have their ‘A’ game, but their fast-pace offense and smothering defense got out of Tennent with a 2-0 win.

“In the first half, out of 40 minutes we probably played good soccer for maybe 15 minutes,’ Abington coach Randy Garber said. “We scored an early goal and we kind of had our own way and then we started kicking the ball anywhere.’

It was a Matt Bachman goal on a feed from Colin Burns in the 14th minute that gave the Ghosts an early lead to play with. Abington controlled the midfield and balls in the air, which went along way in helping the Ghosts controlling the possession.

“We have a lot of young guys that need experience when it comes to getting the ball first and being physical,’ Tennent coach Ryan Todt said. “I think that was the difference in the game.’

Tennent generated a lot more offense come the second half, but there were several reasons as to why the Panthers could not find an answer. Namely it was the Abington defense, Tennent found a few holes in the Ghosts’ backline, but were unable to convert as the Abington defense had most of the Panthers’ offensive strategy pegged.

“I think we’re getting an ample amount of opportunities we’re just not putting the ball into the net,’ Todt said.’

Tennent’s best chances to score came off corner kicks as the Panthers had eight corner pieces in the second half. Tennent put ball over the goal, wide of goal and on goal but could not find a way to get one in.

“We just missed the net about three or four times,’ Todt said. “One of these days they are going to go in for us we just got to keep plugging away.’

The game-changing play came early in the second half. Bachmann won a ball in the midfield on a tough hustle play to spring sophomore forward Juan Castillo. The speedy Castillo then beat the charging Tennent keeper to really give Abington control of the game.

“He’s got the technical ability there’s no doubt about it, we just got to get him the ball more,’ Garber said.

Abington improves to 4-2 on the young season with a 3-2 mark in the SOL National Conference, but with players like Castillo and Bachmann heating up, the Ghosts could be gearing up to make a run at the top of the conference.